Each year, one in every three adults age 65 and older falls. Falls can cause moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas, and can increase the risk of early death. Fortunately, falls are a public health problem that is largely preventable.
Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury death. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. These rates have risen sharply over the past decade.
In 2000, direct medical costs of falls totaled a little over $19 billion-$179 millions for fatal falls and $19 billion for nonfatal fall injuries equals $28.2 billion in 2010 dollars.
Research and evidence state that regular exercise will improve your muscle tone, strength and endurance, keep joints, tendons and ligaments more flexible. This creates a flexibility reservoir that will dramatically decrease risk of injuries.
ICWA's Fall Prevention Program staff of fitness and healthcare professionals assess each client and together develop a customized program resulting from the assessment and designed to reach achievable goals. The programs include a combination of flexibility, weight bearing exercises, skill building to increase knowledge about fall risk factors with a focus on strength and balance.
Even if you do fall, being in good physical condition will lessen your chances of serious injury and raise your ability to heal quickly and completely.
"Fall prevention was little understood in 2003. Today it is clear that if we don't make fall prevention an issue of public discourse we will not be prepared for the inevitable falls of 75 million baby boomers who are marching toward their inevitable destiny."
Fernando Torres-Gil, PhD
To schedule an assessment for yourself or a senior you love, please call (505)554-2315
